AT: Feather Fest-Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Bird Banding & San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

The first part of this trip is similar to the trip to Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. It will head west over the San Luis Pass bridge and off Galveston Island. The first destination will be Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to watch migrant songbirds being caught in mist nets and banded by professional bird banders. The bus will then continue to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and search for spring migrating songbirds, late waterfowl and shorebirds. This 54,000 acre wildlife refuge stretches from the Gulf to the Columbia Bottomlands including both the Brazos and San Bernard River basins. 320 bird species either call this refuge home year-round or pass through here during migration. You will also bird along a trail that takes you to the Champion Live Oak Tree in Texas. It was measured and deemed the current “Largest Live Oak in Texas” in 2000. This Live Oak tree’s trunk is over 32 feet in circumference. It stands 67 feet tall and has a canopy over 100 feet across.

After leaving the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, the trip will stop along the way, as time allows, on Follets Island to check out the beach and a favorite road-side pond with Salt Cedar. There is little distance between the Gulf and the Bay and the views are excellent!

Targets: Late waterfowl, Rails, herons, Egrets, peeps, shorebirds, three species of Ibis, migrant songbirds

Note: The cost of this trip is to cover festival expenses. The San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge does not charge for any activities on the refuge.